Fraction collector



June 17, 1969 J. v. MAIZEL, JR 3,450,173

FRACTION COLLECTOR Filed Dec. 22 1966 7 Sheet of 5 m Kw/v2 Hg! 5 b 1;

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Q @Q' @D'CM) 15 @cm DC) 2 INVENTGR. J/KOB MAM/2554R- June 17, 1969 IJ. V. MAIZEL, JR

FRACTION COLLECTOR I Filed Dec. 22, 1966 INVENTOR. JACOB M/UZEL,JI?.

Sheet of 3 Filed Dec. 22, 1966 INVENTOR. JAC B WMA'IZ I Q- United States Patent York Filed Dec. 22, 1966, Ser. No. 608,059 Int. Cl. 1365b 3/34; B67c 3/24 US. Cl. 141-130 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A fraction collector is shown having a conductive track and a support which is movable along the track through a drive wheel in contact with one side of the track and a free moving wheel on the opposite side. A motor is connected to the drive wheel. The track has a number of spaced non-conductive portions thereupon. The conductive and non-conductive portions of the track abut the free moving wheel. The free moving wheel is in turn connected to a control relay which also intervenes a current source and the motor. A solenoid is carried by the support having a downwardly depending arm. Connected to the arm is an open conduit which also joins a fluid supply source (such as a bottle). The size of the conduit is small enough so that no liquid Will pass therethrough while the support is movable along the track. A pulse generator sends a current pulse through the control relay at a timed interval after the support reaches one of the non-conductive portions of the track.

Description 0 the invention The instant invention relates to a fraction collector having a number of novel features which will be set forth seriatim.

(1) The operation of the fraction collector is simple and foolproof.

(2) The fraction collector is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

(3) Simple and foolproof means are provided to insure that a measured fraction of liquid falls into each collecting vessel. These means involve the use of a conductive track having spaced non-conductive portions thereupon and a fluid distribution mechanism movable along the track. Movement of the mechanism is controlled by a motor which in turn is controlled by a control relay. The control relay opens when the fluid distribution mechanisms reaches a non-conductive portion of the truck. The mechanism remains at this point until a current pulse is supplied to the control relay after a measured time interval. This pulse closes the relay and again starts the motor along the track.

(4) In order to insure the complete discharge of the measured fraction of liquid into the collecting vessel a solenoid having a depending actuating portion is provided. The fluid conduit is open into the depending actuating portion. Immediately prior to the movement of the fluid distribution mechanism to a new position the solenoid is actuated and throws the depending actuating portion upwardly. This causes the last drop of fluid to be thrown out of the conduit.

(5) In order to prevent the discharge of fluid while the fluid distribution mechanism is traveling along the track the conduit is made small enough so that the fluid therewithin at that time will form merely a pendent drop and will not be discharged until the fluid distribution mechanism stops for a discrete interval of time.

This invention was supported in part by a Public Health Service Grant.

The invention may be briefly described as comprising a programmable distributing device useful for delivering Patented June 17, 1969 liquids or other materials in a predetermined pattern which is specifically shown in this specification in the form of a fraction collector. The device shown in the specification herein consists of a serpentine track providing the distributive pattern by means of its shape and positioning stops. In the specific form shown the stops consist of narrowly defined non-conducting regions while the area between the non-conducting regions is conductive. A motor-driven distribution mechanism which moves along the track is shown which is stopped for a discrete interval of time at the positioning stops. The distribution mechanism also contains means for carrying a fluid stream and for dropping the fluid at the desired portions. Proper fractionation is produced by the use of a solenoid-operated orifice which removes an incipiently falling drop before repositioning. A unit is also provided for carrying operating current to the motor and through a positioning track to the control circuit at precise intervals.

The invention will be further described by reference to the accompanying drawings which are made a part of this specification.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the fraction collector made in accordance with this invention. In this view one type of collecting vessels are also shown.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the fluid supply means, the conduit and the pump means that can optionally be used in connection with this invention.

FIG. 4 is a detail side view, partly in section, of the fluid distribution mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary somewhat diagrammatic plan view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing the various spaced positions of stoppage of the fluid distribution mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a detail side 'view of the fraction collector of this invention showing a slightly different type of discharge container as that shown in FIG. 2. In this view the spacing of the non-conductive portions upon the conductive track are slightly different than those shown in FIG. 2. showing the versatility of the device.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of the various components of this invention showing the electrical circuit employed.

The invention will be further described in detail by reference to the specific forms thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings. In this connection, however, the reader is cautioned to note that the specific forms of this invention as set forth herein are for illustrative purposes and for purposes of example only. Various changes and modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.

Now referring to the specific forms of the invention shown for a detailed description the fraction collector 11 of this invention comprises sensing means here including a conductive track 12. A plurality of supports 13 are provided to support track 12. At spaced points along track 12 and as part of the sensing means are a plurality of nonconductive portions 14.

The apparatus may optionally include reversing switches at each end of track 12. These reversing switches are not shown in the drawings.

At one end of track 12, in the form shown in the drawings, is a shut-ofi switch 15 which is connected to a buzzer 41.

Beneath each of non-conductive portions 14 a plurality of collecting vessels 16 are provided. These collecting vessels may be of various types. In FIGS. 1 and 2 one type of such collecting vessels which consist of relatively low profile open vessels are shown. In FIG. 6 collecting vessels designated as 16a are shown which consist of relatively high profile narrow mouth bottles. A fluid distribution mechanism 17 is movable along track 12. Fluid distribution device 17 includes a support 18 having a downwardly depending portion 19. A motor 20 is carried by the upper portion of support 18 while a solenoid 21 is carried by the downwardly depending portion 19. Solenoid 21 includes a downwardly depending arm 22 which passes through an offset lower portion 23 of support 18 and thence is connected to a stop portion 24. A conduit 25 is open at 26 and passes through stop portion 24. A wheel 27 is connected to shaft 28 which in turn is connected to motor 20. Wheel 27 abuts one side of track A free-moving wheel 29 is connected to shaft 30 and in turn abuts the opposite side of track 12. Wheel 29 and shaft 30 are electrically conductive and control the operation of motor 20 and solenoid 21 as will be subsequently explained. A fluid supply (which may be a bottle or other similar container) 31 is connected to conduit 25 at one end thereof. A pump 32 may optionally be provided intervening container 25 in order to insure a constant and controlled rate of flow of the fluid issuing from conduit 25 at 26. The flow through conduit 25 and the size of the drops 50 issuing therefrom are such that no fluid will fall from conduit 25 while member 17 moves from one positioning stop to another.

The electrical circuit and controls of the instant invention are shown in FIG. 7 and will be discussed at this point. The device is designed to be connected to a 110-volt AC power line through wires 70 and 71. Intervening wires 70 and 71 is main switch 40 which is designed to turn the device on and off. Further intervening wires 70 and 71 is junction box 72. Wires 73 and 74 are connected to buzzer 41. Current is designed to flow through these wires when switch 15 is acutated. This, in turn, causes buzzer 41 to sound. Wires 75 and 76 are also connected to junction box 72 and in turn are joined to time generator 46. Wires 77 and 78 join junction box 72 to power supply 79 which is designed to produce both 12-volts DC and 24-volts DC. Wires 80 and 81 carry 24-volts DC and are connected to control relay 43. Wires 82 and 83 also carry 24-volts DC and are connected to pulse counter 47. Pulse counter 47 is in turn connected to starting switch 48 which is designed to close when pulse counter goes to zero. Wires 83 and 84 are connected to delay relay 49 which is also connected to starting switch 48 by wires 85 and 86. Delay relay 49 is in turn connected to control relay 43 by wires 87 and 88. Control relay 43 is connected to manual advance switch 44 by wires 89 and 90. Control relay 43 is also connected to manual reversing switch 45 by wires 91 and 92. Manual reversing switch 45 is connected to motor 20 by wires 93 and 94. Wire 96 connects control relay 43 with track 12 and wire 95 is connected to motor 20. Wires 97 and 98 join junction box 72 with switch 15. Wires 98 and 99 control buzzer 41 when the distribution mechanism reaches switch 15. Wires 100 and 101 carry 12-volts DC of current from power supply 79 to delay relay 49. Wires 80, 81, 82 and 83 carry 24-volts DC of current.

With the foregoing specific description, the operation of this invention will now be explained.

The material of which fractions are to be collected is placed within supply vessel 31. Conduit 25 is then connected to the device, leaving open end 26 in position. Pump 32 (if this structure is used) is then actuated.

At this point a conventional pinch clamp is utilized within conduit 25 to prevent the flow of liquid until this is desired.

Member 17 is then positioned along track 12 in spaced relationship with the first collecting vessel.

The pinch clamp is then opened and switch 40 turned on. At this point motor 20 through wheel 29 is in contact with a conductive portion of track 12. Current then flows into control relay 43 and closes this relay. This permits power to flow into motor 20 and solenoid 21. Solenoid 21 is then maintained in the up position and motor 20 drives wheel 27 moving member 17 along track 12 until it reaches one of the nonconductive portions. At this point member 29 no longer has current flowing therethrough. As a result control relay 49 opens cutting off the power to motor 20 and solenoid 21. Solenoid 21 then drops to its de-energized position and motor 20 stops. At this point member 17 is in stop position and liquid flows through the open end of conduit 26 into collecting vessel 16 or 16a. The diameter of conduit 25 is made relatively small and the liquid does not flow through in a continuous stream but in the form of drops indicated in FIG. 4 by reference character 50.

Time generator 46 actuates pulse counter 47. When pulse counter goes to zero (which occurs after a discrete interval of time has elapsed which is controlled by the setting of pulse counter 47) switch 48 is closed causing a pulse of current to pass through wires and 86 and thence into delay relay 49. Pulse counter 47 also passes through delay relay 49 through wires 87 and 88 into control relay 43 thereby closing relay 43 and permitting motor 20 to operate anew.

At this point solenoid 21 is in the up (energized) position. Since the diameter of fluid conduit 25 is made relatively small the period of time required for a drop of fluid to pass therethrough is longer than the period of time necessary for member 17 to move from one of the non-conductive portions of the track to the next nonconductive portion thereof. It is also to be noted that the current pulse applied to re-start motor 20 after it has stopped causes the armature of solenoid 21 to move upwardly rather sharply. This removes any pendent drop of fluid from conduit 25 causing extreme accuracy in fraction collection. Control relay 43 will remain closed until motor 20 is stopped at another non-conductive portion of track .12 and the process is repeated. When the pulse current goes through wires 85 and 86 into delay relay 49 it also passes through wires 83 and 84 and resets pulse counter 47 so that it may operate anew as previous described. At this point solenoid 21 is in the down (dc-energized) position. It will remain in this position until the next cycle of the device.

When member 17 reaches a point close to the end of track 12 it actuates switch 15. This actuation, through wires 97 and 98, actuates buzzer 41 and turns oil the power to motor 20 thereby shutting down the device.

The foregoing sets forth the manner in which the objects of this invention are achieved.

I claim:

1. A fraction collector comprising, in combination, carrier means having spaced control portions thereupon, a fluid distribution mechanism carrying an energizable solenoid and movable along said carrier means and stoppable at said control portions, said solenoid being energized when said fluid distribution mechanism commences its movement along said carrier means and de-energized when said fluid distribution mechanism is in stopped position, a fluid conduit permitting only dropwise discharge of fluid carried by said solenoid and operative to discharge said fluid only when said solenoid is in deenergized position and timing means for controlling the the periods of movement of said fluid distribution mechanism.

2. A fraction collector as described in claim 1 said carrier means being a serpentine conductive track and said control portions being non-conductive spaced portions upon said track.

3. A fraction collector as described in claim 2 the means for moving said fluid distribution mechanism along said track comprising an electrical motor having a drive element operatively connected to said track and a circuit controlling relay operatively connected with said motor, said relay adapted to open when said motor is stopped, said timing means comprising a pulse generator having a timer connected thereto, said pulse generator adapted to close said relay after a discrete interval of time has elapsed.

4. A fraction collector as described in claim 3 the drive element of said motor being a drive Wheel connected to said motor shaft and disposed along one side of said track and a free moving Wheel connected to said fluid distribution mechanism and abutting the opposite side of said track.

5. A fraction collector as described in claim 4 including a delay relay operatively connected to said pulse generator and said first-named relay.

6. A fraction collector as described in claim 5 including means for setting said pulse generator to actuate successively after discrete periods of time have elapsed.

7. A fraction collector as described in claim 6 the diameter of said fluid conduit being sufficiently small so that it is operative to discharge said fluid only when said solenoid is in de-energized position.

8. A fraction collector as described in claim 7 including fluid supply means operatively connected to said fluid conduit and pump means intervening said fluid supply means and said conduit.

9. A fraction collector as described in claim 8 including reverse switch means at at least one end portion of said track.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,617,546 11/1952 Rosener 104-150 X 2,905,811 9/1959 Smith 104-150 X 2,925,787 2/ 1960 Rubenstein et a1. 104-150 X 3,209,795 10/1965 Page 141-130 3,219,816 11/1965 Albertson et a1. 104-150 X HOUSTON S. BELL, JR., Primary Examiner.

US Cl. X.R. 

